Lagos State Government Reopens Ketu Fruit Market After Environmental Compliance
The Lagos State Government has announced the reopening of the Ketu Fruit Market for commercial activities.
This decision comes after the market was temporarily shut down for non-compliance with the state’s environmental laws.
Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, confirmed the reopening while speaking to journalists during an inspection of the Lagos Island regeneration project. He stated that the market, which was sealed on Thursday, was reopened within hours after authorities observed a satisfactory level of compliance with environmental regulations.
According to the Commissioner, traders in the Ketu Fruit Market worked through the night to clean up the market environment following the enforcement action.
He reiterated that the market had previously been served several abatement notices, which were ignored, leading to the initial closure.
“Market is the first point of contact for most people. Once the cleaning of those markets is done, we will unseal them,” Mr. Wahab explained. “We have unsealed the perishable markets because they worked overnight, and we saw the level of compliance… I would like to reiterate that all these markets have been served abatement notices severally without obeying. People cannot continue to be recalcitrants and forget that the government will enforce them.”
He further noted that the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) is actively involved in ensuring proper waste disposal and intervenes when Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators face challenges.
The Commissioner’s announcement followed the sealing of not only the Ketu Fruit Market but also twelve other markets and commercial facilities along the Ketu and Ikorodu Road axis on Thursday night. These closures were a result of persistent environmental violations, primarily the illegal disposal of waste on roads, medians, and highways, contravening the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law of 2017.
The affected markets included:
Erukan Market, Mile 12
Oja Oba Market, Ketu
Owoseni Tundas Market
Oba Ogunjobi Market, Mile 12
Shops Owners at BRT Terminal, Mile 12
Mile 12 Bus Stop Shops
Ketu Terminal Market (6 plazas)
Ifesowapo Shop Owners Market, Mile 12
Demurin Street Plaza Shops, Ketu
Occupant, 6 Demurin Road, Ketu
Ifelodun Market, Ketu
Ibadan Unit 1 Park (between Babajide Sanwo-Olu Market and Ikosi Fruit Market)
Ketu Tipper Garage
While the Ketu Fruit Market has been reopened due to demonstrated compliance, the Commissioner warned that other sealed markets would remain shut until they meet the prescribed standards of cleanliness, implement comprehensive sanitation measures, procure appropriate waste bins, and engage with LAWMA-licensed PSP operators. Sustained compliance will be monitored and enforced.
The Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, urged market leaders to take full responsibility for the environmental conditions of their domains and ensure that all traders adhere to waste management protocols. He warned of intensified enforcement drives in the coming weeks, with no facility being spared if found wanting in its environmental responsibility.
This swift reopening of the Ketu Fruit Market serves as a testament to the Lagos State Government’s commitment to maintaining environmental sanitation while also ensuring that commercial activities are not unduly disrupted when compliance is achieved promptly. Residents and traders are urged to cooperate with the authorities to maintain a cleaner and healthier Lagos.
